Boxwood Plant Named &#39;Little Missy&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Boxwood plant of unknown parentage is provided that originated as a chance seedling and/or mutation while growing among a block of vegetatively propagated  Buxus microphylla  plants in a plant nursery. The new cultivar readily can be distinguished from other plants of the  Buxus microphylla  species in view of its particularly dense growth habit and smaller dark green foliage. Attractive deep green foliage is formed which well retains its coloration throughout the year in the absence of any substantial color change during the winter. Excellent winter hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 5 is displayed. The plant is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape throughout the year, even in the coldest months.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Buxus microphylla/Boxwood Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. Little Missy

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Boxwood plant of the present invention is a newly found plantthat was discovered in a production block of a plant nursery atPipestem, W. Va., U.S.A., while growing among a block of vegetativelypropagated Buxus microphylla plants (non-patented in the United States).The parentage of the new plant is unknown; however, it is believed to beof the same species. The plant is considered likely to be a spontaneousmutation of another plant of the species of unknown causation. I wasinitially attracted to the plant in view of its distinctive appearanceprimarily attributable to its particularly dense growth habit and itsattractive smaller deep green foliage. Had I not discovered andpreserved this new plant, it would have been lost to mankind.

The new cultivar has been carefully preserved and has been evaluated toconfirm that its characteristics are reliably expressed.

It has been found that the new Boxwood plant of the present inventiondisplays the following combination of characteristics:

(a) forms a dense mounded compact growth habit,

(b) forms attractive deep green foliage throughout the year in theabsence of any substantial color change during the winter,

(c) exhibits excellent winter hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. HardinessZone No. 5, and

(d) is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in thelandscape.

The new evergreen cultivar of the present invention well retains itsattractive appearance throughout the year. The foliage is glossy. Thedeep green coloration of the foliage is well maintained even during thewinter, unlike many previously available Boxwood cultivars which tend toassume a brownish-green foliage coloration during the winter. Thehardiness of the new cultivar during observations to date has been foundto be at least equal to or to exceed most previously known Boxwoodcultivars that are known for their superior hardiness. At least fivesevere winters in the mountains of West Virginia, U.S.A., have beenwell-withstood.

The new cultivar of the present invention can be grown to advantage asattractive ornamentation in the landscape, and is particularly wellsuited for use to provide low hedges or border plantings or foundationplantings. The new plant takes pruning well and prefers full sun tolight shade during observations to date.

The new plant of the present invention can be readily distinguished fromother plants of the Buxus microphylla species in view of its muchsmaller leaf size.

Asexual reproduction of the new plant by the use of semi-softwoodcuttings has been carried out at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A. duringSeptember through November. Such propagation has confirmed that theunique combination of characteristics of the new cultivar has beenstably established and is well transmitted to successive generations.The new cultivar asexually reproduces in a true-to-type manner.

The new cultivar has been named ‘Little Missy’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this character,typical specimens of the new variety at an age of approximately eightyears when grown outdoors at Pipestem, W. Va., U.S.A.

FIG. 1 shows the overall attractive dense mounded compact growth habit.

FIG. 2 shows a closer view of the attractive deep green foliage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new plant of the presentinvention which generally was prepared while observing four-year-oldplants growing in containers at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A. Colorterminology is in accordance with the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society (1995 Edition or equivalent), London, England,except when general color terms are used which are to be accorded theircustomary dictionary significance.

-   Type: Hardy broad-leafed evergreen shrub for garden decoration and    general landscape usage.-   Botanical classification: Buxus microphylla-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—fast growing, dense, mounded, and compact.        -   Growth rate.—commonly the growth rate is approximately 2 to            3 inches per flush.        -   Height.—approximately 16 inches on average.        -   Width.—approximately 3-½ feet on average.        -   Young branches.—diameter commonly approximately 1 mm on            average. — color: near Yellow-Green Group 144A.        -   Mature branches.—diameter: commonly approximately 3 mm on            average. — color: Greyed-Orange Group 177B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Juvenile foliage.—length: commonly approximately 1.1 cm on            average. — width: commonly approximately 0.7 cm on average.            — shape: ovate. — texture: glossy on upper surface. — apex:            cuspidate. — margin: entire. — color of upper surface: near            Yellow-Green Group 144A. — color of under surface: near            Yellow-Green Group 144B. — fragrance: somewhat grass-like            when crushed.        -   Mature foliage.—length: commonly approximately 1.6 cm on            average. — width: commonly approximately 1 cm on average. —            shape: ovate. — apex: generally rounded. — texture: glossy            on the upper surface. — margin: entire. — color of upper            surface: commonly Green Group 139A. — color of lower            surface: commonly Yellow-Green Group 144A. — fragrance:            somewhat acrid when crushed.        -   Petioles.—length: approximately 1 mm on average when mature.            color: near Yellow-Green Group 144A.-   Inflorescence: No flowers, fruit, or seeds are observed to date.-   Development:    -   -   Hardiness.—to at least U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 5. Grows            well in U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone Nos. 5 to 9.        -   Disease resistance.—no disease problems have been observed            during observations to date.        -   Insect tolerance.—no insect damage has been observed during            observations to date.

Plants of the new ‘Little Missy’ variety have not been observed underall possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it ispossible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changesin light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and otherenvironmental conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Boxwood plant possessing the followingcharacteristics: (a) forms a dense mounded compact growth habit, (b)forms attractive deep green foliage throughout the year in the absenceof any substantial color change during the winter, (c) exhibitsexcellent winter hardiness to at least U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 5,and (d) is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in thelandscape; substantially as illustrated and described.